We all know that infection control guidelines taught us to wash our hands prior to donning non-sterile gloves and when you remove them, right? Well not so fast! In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, the outcomes related to washing versus not washing were the same. In fact, their conclusion was that a direct-gloving strategy without prior hand …
Whether you work in post-acute care, urgent care, an ER, a physician office, or home health, we all use stethoscopes, right? Well, a recent study published in PubMed made me shudder a little bit! We do it and we witness it every day, nurse takes a blood pressure and hangs the stethoscope around her/his neck. The doctor checks lung sounds …
It is starting again. The front entrance to a skilled nursing center, posting says there is active COVID in the building. I enter, a sign in the lobby indicates that masking is recommended and there is a box of masks on the counter. There is a hand hygiene station next to the front desk, however no notice that handwashing is …
Even way back in 2003, the CDC made it very clear that environmental associated infections in health-care facilities were a concern. They published guidelines that were evidence-based and included: Infection control impact of ventilation system and water system performance Environmental infection control measures for special areas with high-risk residents Use of airborne-particle sampling to monitor effectiveness of air filtration and …
Urinary tract infection is the most frequent bacterial infection in residents of post-acute care facilities. Most infections are asymptomatic, with a remarkable prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria of 15%-50% among all residents. The major reasons for this high prevalence are chronic comorbid illnesses, neurogenic bladder, and incontinence management. We are constantly facing challenges with new types of bacteria, MDROs, etc. so …
New infection control practice guidelines are now available; a collaborative effort led by the SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission. These organizations work diligently day in and day out, to assist healthcare providers in preventing nosocomial infections and these …
Just when I thought I had heard it all, I come across an article titled, “Toilet Seat Dermatitis Making a Comeback.” Really? I never knew it existed in the first place! According to the article, toilet seat dermatitis is one of those legendary conditions described in medical textbooks and seen in underdeveloped countries and is more common in young children. …
I remember growing up on a street lined with huge, beautiful trees, children running and playing, and just happiness everywhere. Then it happened, Jimmy got sick. Jimmy was my best friend and was sent away to a hospital where children were fitted with devices so they could walk. We used to run and jump and play, never worried about tomorrow …
Whew! What a journey we have been on the past 2 ½ years, and the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be a crazy time warp for us now, thank goodness! That said, I read an interesting article on a study that was performed on how important hand washing and cell phone disinfecting can help reduce the spread of infection! Sure, we …
As post-acute care providers, many of us provide care to residents who have suffered a closed head injury/stroke. Many of these residents are being transferred to our centers for short-term rehabilitation services or long-term care after a stay in acute care. Sadly, healthcare facilities, including acute care centers, tend to harbor infectious organisms just by the nature of their care …
